Article 25 & Annex V: Packaging Format Restrictions

Packaging format

Restricted use

Illustrative example

1. Single-use plastic grouped packaging

Single-use plastic packaging used at the point of sale to group goods sold in bottles, cans, tins, pots, tubs, and packets designed as convenience packaging to enable or encourage consumers to purchase more than one product. This excludes grouped packaging necessary to facilitate handling.

Collation films, shrink wrap

2. Single-use plastic packaging for unprocessed fresh fruit and vegetables

Single-use plastic packaging for less than 1,5 kg pre-packed fresh fruit and vegetables. Member States may set up exemptions in respect of this restriction if there is a demonstrated need to avoid water loss, or turgidity loss, microbiological hazards or physical shocks, oxidation, or if there is no other possibility to avoid commingling of organic fruits and vegetables with non-organic fruits and vegetables in compliance with requirements in Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) on certification or labelling, without entailing disproportionate economic and administrative costs.

Nets, bags, trays, containers

3. Single-use plastic packaging

Single-use plastic packaging for foods and beverages filled and consumed within the premises in the HORECA sector, which include all eating areas inside and outside a place of business, covered with tables and stools, standing areas, and eating areas offered to the end users jointly by several economic operators or a third party for the purpose of food and drinks consumption. Establishments in the HORECA sector that do not have access to drinking water are exempted.

Trays, disposable plates and cups, bags, boxes

4. Single-use plastic packaging for condiments, preserves, sauces, coffee creamer, sugar, and seasoning in HORECA sector

Single-use plastic packaging in the HORECA sector, containing individual portions or servings, used for condiments, preserves, sauces, coffee creamer, sugar and seasoning, except in the following cases:
(a) such packaging is provided together with take-away ready-prepared food intended for immediate consumption without the need of any further preparation;
(b) such packaging is required to ensure safety and hygiene in establishments where there is a medical requirement for individualised care, such as hospitals, clinics or nursing homes.

Sachets, tubs, trays, boxes

5. Single-use accommodation sector packaging intended for an individual booking

Single-use packaging for cosmetics, hygiene and toiletry products for the use in the accommodation sector, as described in NACE Rev. 2 – Statistical classification of economic activities, intended for an individual booking only and intended to be discarded before the next guest arrives.

Shampoo bottles, hand and body lotion bottles, sachets around bar soap

6. Very lightweight plastic carrier bags

Very lightweight plastic carrier bags, except for very lightweight plastic carrier bags required for hygiene reasons or provided as sales packaging for loose food when this helps to prevent food wastage.

Very thin bags provided for bulk groceries